Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the Arizona Democrat who survived a gunshot wound to the head a year ago last week, said Sunday she was stepping down from Congress.

In a video released on YouTube, Ms. Giffords said she had more work to do on her recovery.

"I'm getting better every day. My spirit is high," Ms. Giffords said on the video, in which she spoke audibly but slowly. "I will return, and we will work together for Arizona and this great country."

Ms. Giffords survived a would-be assassin's bullet at a constituents' meeting in Tucson a year ago. The assailant, Jared Lee Loughner, killed six people and wounded 17, including Ms. Giffords, in the shooting spree.

Prior to the attack, Ms. Giffords was seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party, representing a part of the country that traditionally voted Republican. In the time since she was wounded, Ms. Giffords has only returned once to Congress, casting a vote in August on legislation to increase the country's debt ceiling.

"Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has been a true bright star—a dynamic and creative public servant," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) said in a statement. "Gabby's message of bipartisanship and civility is one that all in Washington and the nation should honor and emulate."

It is amazing how her speech has improved and is downright good. She looks good. She says she will be back._________________Before God created Las he pondered on all the aspects a woman might have, he considered which ones would look good super-inflated and which ones to leave alone.
After much deliberation he gave her a giant comfort zone. - Michael